Thursday, March 8, 2018

Study of Revelation: Revelation 10–11

Prayer and Bible Expo
https://prayerandbibleexpo.blogspot.com/


CLICK HERE to watch a discussion of Revelation 10–11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-C4shLGIA

Brief Summary of Revelation 1–9 

Revelation 1 The Introduction: ­Scene: Earth.  Time: Past (ca. 95 AD).
John introduces the book of prophecy with an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the Revelation. John was exiled on the island of Patmos when Jesus sent and communicated the vision of things which must soon take place. John is commanded to write and send the book to the seven churches in Asia.

Revelation 2-3  Messages to the Angels of the Seven Churches in Asia: 
Scene: Earth. Time: Present (to original readers in Asia).
Jesus sends a unique message to each of the seven churches in the western part of the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  The cities are listed in the order of the geographical circuit that the messenger of the book would naturally travel as he delivered the letters.

Revelation 4–5 Prelude of Praise:
Scene: Heaven. Time: Future (Onset of the Great Seven-Year Tribulation which will complete the present age, conclude with Jesus’ return, and usher in the Millennium).
Revelation 4-22 records events that will take place in the future. Three consecutive periods of judgment lead to the second return of Jesus Christ: 7 Seals; 7 Trumpets; and, 7 Bowls. A prelude of praise in heaven precedes the onset of each three sets of 7 consecutive judgments. Revelation 4-5 records the initial heavenly prelude of praise that will precede the opening of the 7 Seals of judgment in Revelation 6, ushering in “a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will” (Matt 24:21).

Revelation 6 Seven Seal Judgments
Scene: Earth. Time: Future (Chronology moves forward.)
The seven seals contain the judgments of the Great Tribulation, concluding with the return of Jesus. The seventh Seal contains the seven Trumpet judgments, and the seventh Trumpet judgment contains the final seven Bowl judgments. The Trumpet and Bowl judgments are all contained within the seventh Seal, unfolding consecutively through the seven-year Tribulation Period. Through judgment, Jesus becomes King of all the nations.

Revelation 6 records John’s vision of the Lamb breaking the first 6 of 7 Seals:
§  Seal #1:     First Apocalyptic Horseman (White Horse): Conqueror
§  Seal #2:     Second Apocalyptic Horseman (Red Horse): Removes Peace
§  Seal #3:     Third Apocalyptic Horseman (Black Horse): Famine
§  Seal #4:     Fourth Apocalyptic Horseman (Ashen Horse): Death and Hades (over ¼ of earth killed)
§  Seal #5:     Cries of the Martyrs for Judgment and Vengeance
§  Seal #6:     Earthquake, Blackened Sun, Blood-like Moon, Falling Stars, Split Sky, Moving Mountains and Islands, Hiding Men, Great Day of Wrath
The seventh seal remains unbroken at the end of Revelation 6. Before the Lamb breaks the seventh seal (Rev 8), the foreheads of 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel are sealed.

Rev 7:1-8 Sealing of 144,000 from 12 Tribes of Israel: Scene: Earth. Time: Future.
The angels are commanded to refrain from harming the earth, sea, or trees until the bond-servants of God are sealed on their foreheads with the seal of the Living God. The 144,000 include 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Rev 7:9-17 Prelude of Praise by Multitude in Heaven: Scene: Heaven. Time: Future.
Before the Lamb breaks the 7th Seal, containing the 7 Trumpets and 7 Bowls, there is a prelude of praise in heaven by a great, countless multitude from every nation, tribes, peoples, and tongues. The multitude, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands, stands before the throne and before the Lamb as they cry, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (7:10). The heavenly court responds in worship. One of the elders explains to John that the multitude came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, made white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 8–9 Trumpet Judgments
Scene: Earth. Time: Future (Chronology moves forward, Second Half of Tribulation)

After the sealing of 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel and a prelude of praise by a great multitude in heaven, the Lamb breaks the seventh seal. In response, heaven is silenced for half an hour. The seventh seal contains the seven trumpets, the second of three 7-judgment series that are consecutively released during the Great Tribulation. The seven bowls are contained in the seventh trumpet. The seven trumpets are contained in the seventh seal. When the Lamb breaks the seventh seal, He is actually initiating the seven trumpets. Once the seventh seal is broken, the seven trumpet judgments occur consecutively. Revelation 8–9 records the consecutive release of six of the seven trumpet judgments.
o   Trumpet #1: Hail, Fire (upon earth)
o   Trumpet #2: Burning Mountain (upon sea)
o   Trumpet #3: Wormwood (upon waters)
o   Trumpet #4: Sun, Moon, Stars (upon heavens)
o   Trumpet #5: Demonic Locusts (upon people)
o   Trumpet #6: Horsemen (upon people)
o   Trumpet #7: Announces 7 Bowls

Introduction to Revelation 10–15:
Transition from Trumpets (8–9) to Seals (16)
Scenes: Earth (10-14) and Heaven (15) Time: Future

Just as chapter 7, which deals with the 144,000 sealed Israelites and great multitude from all nations, serves as a transition between the Seal and Trumpet judgments, Chapters 10–15 serve as a transition between the Trumpet and Bowl judgments. The interlude provides background information pertaining to significant people, places, and events during the Great Tribulation without advancing chronologically through the judgment series.

Chapter 10 introduces an angel, perhaps Michael the archangel, who announces the 7th trumpet, which contains the seven final Bowl judgments leading to the return of Christ.

Chapter 11 records John’s measurement of the temple of God and the altar, then it introduces the two witnesses who prophesy for 1,260 days (42 months) of the Great Tribulation. At the end of 3 ½ years, the two witnesses die and their bodies are displayed for 3 ½ days before they are brought back to life and ascend into heaven.

Chapter 12 is often considered the most symbolic chapter in the Bible. Five of seven major tribulation personages are identified: (1) the woman clothed with the sun=Mary/Judah; (2) the red dragon (7 heads, 10 horns, 7 diadems)=Satan; (3) a male child=Christ; (4) Michael/angels; and (5) offspring of woman persecuted by the dragon=Israel.

Chapter 13 introduces the final two of seven major tribulation personages: (6) beast out of the sea=Antichrist; and, (7) beast out of the earth=false prophet.

Chapter 14 reveals the Lamb standing on Mount Zion and the worship of the 144,000 who have the name of the Lamb and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. After a prelude of praise, angels announce fallen Babylon and the reaping of the earth.

Chapter 15 records a heavenly prelude of praise in preparation for the final series of judgment. Those who had been victorious over the beast and his image sing the Song of Moses and Song of the Lamb. One of the four living creatures gives to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever, and the temple is filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power.


STUDY QUESTIONS

Revelation 10:1-7 Transition from Trumpets to Bowls: The Strong Angel and Sealing of the Message of the Seven Peals of Thunder

Rev. 10:1   I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire;  2 and he had in his hand a little book which was open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land;  3 and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices.  4 When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them.”  5 Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven,  6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there will be delay no longer,  7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.

1.  Describe the appearance of the other angel that John sees. (10:1-2)

2.  From where does he come? (10:1)

3.  What is in his hand?  (10:2)

4.  Where does he place his feet? (10:2)

5.  What does the angel do? (10:3)

6.  Who utters their voices after him? (10:3)

7.  What is John’s first response after the seven peals of thunder had spoken? (10:4)

8.  What does the voice from heaven command John to seal up and not write? (10:4)

9.  By whom does the angel standing on the sea and on the land swear? (10:5-6)

10.  What does the angel say will be finished in the days of the voice of the seventh angel? (10:7)

11.  To whom had He preached that mystery of God would be finished? (10:7)

12. What do you learn about God from Rev 10:1-7? How could this truth transform your life?


Revelation 10:8-11 Transition from Trumpets to Bowls: The Little Book

Rev. 10:8   Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.”  9 So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he  said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”  10 I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.  11 And they  said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”

1.  After the angel who stands on the sea and land swears, what does John hear? (10:8)

2.  From where does the voice speak? (10:8)

3.  What had this voice previously told John to do? (10:4)

4.  What does the voice tell John to do now? (10:8)

5.  In response to the voice from heaven, what does John do? (10:9)

6.  What does the angel tell John to do with the little book? (10:9)

7.  What happens to John after he takes the little book out of the angel’s hand? (10:10)
(cf. Psa. 119:103; Jer. 15:16; Ezek. 3:1-3; Heb 6:5)

8.  Concerning what must John prophesy again? (10:11)

9. What do you learn about God from Rev 10:8-11?  How could this truth transform your life?


Revelation 11:1-2 Transition from Trumpets to Bowls: Temple Measurements

Rev. 11:1   Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it.  2 “Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months.

1.  What is given to John?  (11:1)

2.  What is he told to get up and measure? (11:1)

3.  What is John told to not measure and what is the reason for leaving it out? (11:2)

4.  How long will the nations tread the holy city under foot?

5.  What do you learn about God from Rev 11:1-2?  How could this truth transform your life?


Revelation 11:3-14 Transition from Trumpets to Bowls: The Two Witnesses

Rev. 11:3    “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”  4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.  5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.  6 These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
Rev. 11:7   When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.  8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.  9 Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.  10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
Rev. 11:11   But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.  12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.  13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Rev. 11:14   The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

1.  To whom will authority be given to prophesy for 1,260 days? (11:3)

2.  Convert 1,260 days to years, which is the span of time that the two witnesses will prophesy.

3.  How are they clothed? (11:3)

4.  How are they described? (11:4)

5.  (Opinion) Who do you think the two witnesses might be?

6.  What happens to anyone who wants to harm the two witnesses? (11:5)

7.  Over what do they have power? (11:6)

8.  How often can they do this? (11:6)

9.  What happens when they have finished their testimony? (11:7)

10. From where does the beast come?

11.  Where will their dead bodies lie? (11:8)

12.  Who was also crucified there? (11:7-8)

13.  Describe the various responses to the dead bodies of the two witnesses. (11:9-10)

14.  What happens to the dead bodies of the two witnesses after 3 ½ days?

15.  What is the response to those who were watching them? (11:11)

16.  What does the loud voice from heaven say to them? (11:12)

17.  What happens? (11:12)

18.  What happens in that hour when the witnesses go up into heaven? (11:13)

19.  What is past?

20.  What is coming quickly? (11:14)

21.  What do you learn about God from Rev 11:1-14? How could this truth transform your life?


Rev. 11:15   Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
 “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”  16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,  17 saying,
 “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.  18 “And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Rev. 11:19   And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

1.  When the seventh angel sounds, what does John hear? From where are the loud voices speaking? What has the kingdom of the world become? How long will He reign (11:15)?

2.  What is the response of the twenty-four elders? To Whom do they give thanks? Why do they give thanks?  Whose time had come: To be judged?  To be rewarded? To be destroyed? (11:16-18)

3.  What was opened? Where is it? What appeared in His temple? (11:19) (D) What is the ark of His covenant? (Ex. 25:21-22; Num. 10:33; Deut. 10:1-3)

4.  What happens after the temple was opened and the ark appeared? (11:19) 

  5.  What do you learn about God in Rev. 11:15-19? How could this transform your life?


Write a prayer response to Revelation 10–11.

Prayer and Bible Expo
https://prayerandbibleexpo.blogspot.com/

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